Key Lime Bars

Don’t get me wrong, I love Key lime pie, but when I'm looking for a mini, shareable dessert, I reach for these adorable Key lime bars. These have all the same elements as the beloved no-bake pie: a tangy, citrus filling, buttery graham cracker crust, and a fluffy Cool Whip topping. Not only are these easy to create, they take slightly less time than the classic pie, making them a great choice when you’re in a pinch. Ready to be the star of every summer potluck? Keep reading on for everything you need to know about making these sweet-and-tangy bars:

What People Are Saying:
“This recipe is my total "Go To" for a delicious, easy to make dessert. I use it for potlucks, picnics, family gatherings or anytime I'm feeling like something decadent. It's great made with lemon or lime!” - GoldPalmtree

“Very good. Refreshing and easy to make.” - GreenMagnet

How To Make Key Lime Bars

INGREDIENTS

• Graham Crackers: Even though we aren’t making a pie crust per say, these bars still have a graham cracker base. To crush them, I recommend either crushing in a plastic resealable bag, or using a food processor.
• Butter: Melted unsalted butter will not only add the buttery flavor that graham crackers just aren’t complete without, but will also add moisture and hold to create the crust.
• Sugar: I’m adding sugar into the mixture to create a sweet, buttery base. Graham crackers on their own don’t bring too much flavor to the table, so butter and sugar play supporting roles in making them a star.
• Cream Cheese: To create our creamy Key lime filling, I’m using cream cheese instead of sour cream. I find that it holds up better in these bars, and adds a tangy flavor and richness to the filling. Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing, otherwise it will be too difficult to mix.
• Egg Yolks: The yolks will help the pie set up, and will add an extra richness to the filling.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is what will make our filling perfectly sweet; I opt to use this instead of granulated sugar because it incorporates well into the filling. Make sure you’re using condensed milk or sweetened condensed milk (they’re the same!), not evaporated milk.
• Limes: We’ll be using limes every way we can here: the fresh juice, the zest, and the entire limes cut into rounds. The fresh juice will be incorporated into our filling for that signature citrus flavor, and the zest and lime rounds will be used as the garnish. Of course, go for Key limes if you can find them, but you can use regular limes if that’s all you can find. Regardless, make sure you’re freshly squeezing your juice.
• Cool Whip: You can make homemade whipped cream if you want (our recipe is pretty unbeatable and so simple to make), but if you’re crunched for time, some Cool Whip is a great quick and easy alternative.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

First, arrange a rack in the center of your oven, then preheat to 350°. Use cooking spray to grease an 8" x 8” pan well—we don’t want any sticking here. Then, we’ll create our filling by mixing graham crackers, butter, and sugar until combined in a medium bowl. Once combined, firmly press into the bottom of your prepared and greased pan. Bake the crust until slightly darkened (we don’t want too much color) and fragrant.

Now, we’ll create our filling by beating cream cheese until smooth in a large bowl with a handheld mixer. Add the egg yolks, condensed milk, lime juice, and salt, then beat again until combined. Once combined, pour onto the baked crust.

Bake the bars until the filling is completely set. Once done and cooled, refrigerate until cold. This should take around 2 hours, but you can let them chill overnight. When you’re ready to serve, use a sharp knife to cut the dessert into squares. Top each bar with a dollop of Cool Whip and Key lime rounds, then sprinkle with lime zest.

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the comments below.

Key Lime Bars Variations

These bars are pretty perfect as is, but there are ways to get creative with them. Opt for homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip, use lemons if you want a twist on a lemon bar, or try our coconut key Lime cheesecake bars if you want an extra-tropical treat.

Storage

If you have any leftovers, store them in the fridge for around 4-5 days.